Chimney hatch



. Feb. 23, 1943. A. n. Timm-2|.

ummm nuca Filed March 14, 1941 v3 Sheets-Sheet 1 n. CH M 4 T 4/ /J/ wa W www/wa@ E l .M 6. f 5 j ,w/ WJ T Fr 3 I* 3 I Feb.23,1943. A. R. TQMMEL 2311.915

GHIMNEY HATCH Filed uarh 14. 1941 s sheets-sheet 2 me-...E f5 .ya .ya 55 1g/.gg j

47 ab 54 56 55 FV 37 70 `5/ \3e I .45/ 525307 53 y A. f?, TUNNEL Patented Feb. 23, 1,943

UNITED orifice 3 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to a chimney hatch and it is one object of the invention to provide a hatch which may be applied to a chimney and serve very effectively to prevent rain from entering the chimney and also constitute means for controlling an up draft through the chimney.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hatch which may be easily applied to a chimney and is located at the top thereof where it will be particularly effective in excluding rain from the chimney flue when the hatch is in closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hatch which fits close against the top of the chimney where it will be inconspicuous and not detract from the appearance of a building to the chimney of which it is applied. l

Another object of the invention is to provide a chimney hatch having a frame which may be firmly anchored to the chimney and a closure which is yieldably held in one position of` adjustment, preferably open, by a Weight or equivalent member located within the chimney ue where it will be hidden from view and also shielded from damage by wind or exposure to elements outside the chimney.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chimney hatch wherein the means for adjusting the closure and holding it in closed or partially closed position, is located within the chimney and the fireplace from which the chimney extends. It will thus be seen that the closure for the hatch may be adjusted from within a room in which the fireplace is located and, that, since the adjusting mechanism is located within the chimney, it will not be exposed outside the chimney or the replace and detract from thc appearance of the fireplace.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hatch which is simple in construction, easy t install, and not likely to get out of order.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view taken vertically through a replace and a chimney having a hatch of the improved construction applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the hatch shown in Fig. 1.v

Fig. 3 is a View showing the hatch of Fig. 1 in side elevation.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 1, showing the hatch open.

Fig. 6 is a view on the line 6--6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a view on the line 'i-'I of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a top plan View of a modified form of hatch.

Fig. 9 is a view showing the hatch of Fig. 8, in side elevation.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken transversely through Fig. 8, on the line |0-I0.

Fig. 11 is a sectional View on the line H-H of Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a View similar to Fig. 11, showing the hatch partially closed.

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view of another modied form of hatch.

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the hatch of Fig. 13 in open position.

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14, showing the hatch closed.

The chimney I is of conventional formation and extends upwardly from a fireplace 2 which is also of conventional formation and is provided with the usual shelf 3. A flue or liner 4 extends vertically in the chimney I, with its upper end protruding a short distance above the upper end thereof. The shelf 3 is intended to catch rain which enters a chimney, but it has been found that in tropical and semi-,tropical countries, where heavy rains occur, this rain shelf often overflows and also that some of the rain willrun down the chimney and into the fireplace between the shelf and the front wall of the chimney. This not only causes the fireplace to be flooded with water but, since soot is carried down the chimney with the rain water, the hearth and 'the iloor of a room adjacent the fireplace will be stained and otherwise damaged by the mixture of rain water and soot.

In order to exclude rain from the chimney and also permit updraft of air through the chimney, a hatch formed in accordance with this invention is applied at the upper end or top of the chimney. This hatch has a frame 5 formed of brass or other suitable metal and having an outstanding flange 6 for resting on the upper edge of the flue or liner 4, the dimensions of the frame being such that it conforms to the internal dimensions of the flue and its flange S covers the upper edge of the flue. Strips I are disposed vertically with their upper ends bolted to the frame and their lower portions extending downwardly therefrom against inner faces of walls of the ue where they are secured by bolts or other suitable fasteners 8 which pass through openings formed in the walls of the iiue. It will be understood that any means desired may be employed for securing the frame in place on the upper end of the flue.

The closure for the hatch consists of a plurality of louvers, and while three louvers 9, I and II have been shown, it will be understood that any desired number may be provided, according to the size of the hatch. Flanges 9a, Illa, and Ila extend downwardly along side edges of the louvers for overlapping opposite side portions of the frame 5, and the louvers 9 and II are formed with depending flanges 9b and Hb along their outer edges for overlapping the frame. It will thus be seen that when the louvers of the cover are in closed position, all side portions of the frame will be overlapped by flanges and Water will be prevented from entering the chimney flue as it flows along the cover.

Hinge brackets I2 are bolted or otherwise secured against inner surfaces of the louvers and have portions extending from rear edges thereof and pivotally mounted at opposite sides of the frame 5 by bolts or equivalent members I3 which serve as pivot pins for the louvers, the pivot pins for the louvers Il] and II passing through side portions of the frame and the pins for the louver 9 being carried by rearwardly extending portions of brackets I4 which are secured against outer faces of said side portions of the frame. By this arrangement, all of the louvers forming the cover will be pivotally mounted for vertical swinging movement to closed position or to open position. A strip I5 which is carried by pins or bolts IE projecting laterally from side flanges of the louvers, constitutes a pitman connecting the louvers and it will be seen from an inspection of Figs. 4 and 5, that when one of the louvers is moved toward open position or closed position, similar movement will be imparted to the other louvers.

It is desired to have the louvers constituting the closure urged toward closed position and, in order to accomplish this, there has been provided a weight I'I which is preferably of the type used for window sashes. This weight is suspended in the chimney flue by a chain or cable I8 having its upper end attached to a bracket I9 carried by the louver I0. This bracket extends rearwardly from the louver I Q and is of sufficient length to serve as a lever for tilting the louvers outwardly to raised or open position when subjected to action of the weight. Therefore, the closure will be urged toward open position and will remain in this position unless moved toward closed position and secured in the adjusted position.

Movement of the closure toward closed position is accomplished through the medium of a pull chain 2G which extends longitudinally through the chimney flue and has its upper end secured to a cable ZI trained about a pulley 22 and has its upper end secured to the forward or upper end of the bracket I2 of the louver I0. By this arrangement, pull on the chain will serve to swing the louver I0 downwardly toward closed position, and since the other louvers are connected with the louver I by the link or pitman I5, the entire closure will be moved toward closed position. When the closure is entirely closed, rain will be excluded from the chimney and since the louvers slope downwardly toward their free edges and overlap, similar to shingles or weather boards, rain water will ow along the louvers and off the lower edge of the closure without entering the chimney. While it has been stated that the upper end of the chain is connected with a cable 2|, it will be obvious that the cable could be omitted and the chain be of sufiicient length to have its upper portion trained about the pulley 22 and attached 'to the louver ID.

A bracket 23, which serves as a latch or keeper, is secured against a side wall of the fireplace and has an outstanding flange 24 in which a keyhole opening 25 is formed. The chain passes through this opening and, when a link of the chain is passed into the reduced portion or slot 25a of Y this opening, the chain will be held against upward movement. It will thus be seen that by grasping the lower end of the chain and exerting downward pull, the louvers forming the closure may be swung toward closed position and held in such position when the chain is moved into the slot of the keyhole opening. When the chain is shifted out of lthe slot and pull on the chain release, the weight will serve to move the louvers toward raised 0r open position and retain the closure open until pull is again exerted on the chain.

In View of the fact that the weight and the chain are located within the chimney flue, they will be out of the way and shielded from exposure to the weather. It should also be noted that since the chain extends through the ue and into the fireplace to a point where its lower end may be readily grasped, adjustment of the closure may be readily accomplished within the room in which the fireplace is situated and it will not be necessary to go outside of the house in order to adjust the closure. The fact that the chain is within the chimney and the fireplace, also conceals it from view and prevents it from detracting from the appearance of the fireplace.

In Figs. 8 through l2 of the drawings, there has been illustrated a hatch of a modified construction. In this embodiment of the invention, the closure 28 is flat and is normally held in open position over the portion of the chimney 2'I at one side of the flue 28. The frame 29 is secured flat on the top of the chimney and has side bars or strips 30, the inner marginal portions of which are bent upwardly to form upstanding flanges 3| which are folded back upon themselves, as shown at 32, to provide tracks having smooth and transversely rounded upper edges. Guard strips 33 extend longitudinally of the side strips 30 and are bent to form flanges 34 which overhang the tracks 3I in vertical spaced relation thereto and are folded inwardly upon themselves, as shown at 35. By this arrangement of parts, there are formed channels 36 to receive side edge portions of the closure 26, and referring to Fig. 10, it will be seen that side edge portions of the closure are bent to form depending flanges 3I which slide longitudinally in the channels when the closure is shifted and guide movement of the closure as Well as prevent rain water from owing 01T sides of the closure into the chimney ue. Openings 38 are formed in the guard strips in spaced relation to each other longitudinally thereof, so that water entering the channels may drain therefrom. The length of the cover or closure corresponds substantially to the thickness of the thicker portion of the chimney wall and when the closure is in open position, its inner edge terminates substantially even with the upstanding flange 39 of the -rear bar or strip 4i) of the frame 29, as shown in Fig. 11.

Movement of the closure toward open position is effected by a weight 4l suspended from a chain or cable 42 which extends vertically in the flue and has its upper portion trained about a pulley 43 which projects forwardly from the cross strip 40. The cable extends forwardly after being trained about the pulley 43 and is secured to the forward end of an arm or bracket 45 which is secured upon the upper face of the closure and projects forwardly therefrom, and, from an inspection of Figs. l1 and 12, it will be easily understood that pull exerted by the weight 4l will have a tendency to draw the closure toward open position. Therefore, the closure will be urged toward open position and yieldably held in such position.

To shift the closure towardclosed position, there has been provided a pull chain 46 which extends vertically through the chimney flue and has its upper end connected with the lower end of a cable 41. This cable is trained about a pulley 4B carried by a bracket 49 which is xed to and extends inwardly from the upstanding flange 50 of the forward cross bar or strip 5| of the frame 29 and the upper end of the cable is secured to the arm or bracket 45 near the rear end thereof. the closure to be shifted across the flue from the open position shown in Fig. ll, toward the closed position shown in Fig. l2, and when a link of the chain is engaged with the keeper or latch 52 mounted against a side wall of the fireplace, as shown in Fig. 9, the chain will be held under tension and the closure held in closed position or partially closed, according to the distance it has been drawn across the flue before engaging the chain with the keeper.

Some chimneys have walls of insuiiicient thickness to accommodate a catch having a solid closure of sufficient length to completely cover and close the flue without a portion of the closure projecting from the chimney when in open position. For this type of chimney, a hatch is used having a closure formed of front and rear sections. Such a hatch is illustrated in Figs. 13, 14 and 15. Referring to these figures, it will be seen that the front section 53 of the closure is shiftable over the rear section 54 from the retracted position of Fig. 14, to the extended po sition shown in Fig. 15. The frame which is indicated in general by the numeral 55, is of the same construction shown in Figs. 8 through 12 and previously described, and the two sections of the closure are formed with depending side flanges 56 slidably received in channels 51 corresponding to the channels 3S. The rear end of the upper or forward closure section is bent downwardly and inwardly to form an underlying lip 58 extending the full width cf this closure and the forward end of the lower or rear closure section is bent upwardly and rearwardly to form a hook shaped lip 59 which also extends the full width of the closure. The arm or bracket 6B to which the cables El and B2 are secured, is carried by the forward closure section 53 at the front end thereof and, when pull is exerted on the cable 52, which corresponds to cable 41, the

Pull upon the chain will cause forward closure will be drawn toward closed position until its lip 58 has hooked engagement with the lip 59 of the rear closure section, the two sections being then drawn forwardly as a unit until the closure is in closing relation to the upper end of the chimney flue. When the pull chain 63 is released, the weight 64 carried by cable 6I, exerts pull on this cable and the forward closure section will be shifted toward open position until the pins or equivalent abutments 65, which extend downwardly near the forward end of this closure section, engage the forward end of the rear section 54. The two closure sections will then be moved as a unit toward the open position shown in Fig. 14, and since the forward closure section is then disposed over the rear closure section, and the two sections are of a width substantially corresponding to the thickness of the wall of the chimney, the

closure may occupy an open position without protruding from a side of the chimney.

In all embodiments of the invention, the hatch has a frame adapted to be mounted at the top of a chimney and carrying a closure which is urged toward its normally open position by a weight suspended in the flue of the chimney, and the closure is moved toward open position through the medium of a pull chain extending longitudinally through the chimney flue into a fireplace and engageable with a keeper mounted against a side wall of the fireplace in such position that the chain may be easily engaged with it after closing the closure, the location of the keeper being such that the keeper and the lower end of the chain will be inconspicuous and practically hidden from View. It should also be noted that in all embodiments of the invention, the weight and the pull chain are housed in the chimney and the chain may be pulled upon or released for adjustment of the closure without leaving the room in which the fireplace is 1ocated and without going outside the house.

Each embodiment of the invention may be installed when building a chimney, or sold as an accessory and installed upon chimneys of houses already built and occupied.

Having thus described the invention, what is' claimed is:

1. A chimney hatch comprising a frame adapted to be mounted on a chimney about the upper end of the flue thereof, a closure consisting of companion sections pivotally connected with the frame and movable together from an open position to a closed position in which one section has a free end portion overlapping the pivoted end portion of another, means for urging the closure sections toward open position, said means including a weight suspended from the pivoted end of one section, a pull line connected with one closure section forwardly of its pivot for moving same toward closed position extending downwardly therefrom for passage through the chimney flue, and means for transmitting movement from one closure section to another.

2. A chimney hatch comprising a frame adapted to be mounted on a chimney about the upper end of the flue thereof, a closure for the upper end of the chimney liuc consisting of a plurality of louvers pivoted to the frame and of a length to dispose one in overlapping relation to another when closed, means for transmitting movement from one louver to another, a weight suspended from one louver for urging same toward open position; and a pull line connected with one louver and of a length adapting it to, extend through a chimney ue and into a fireplace with its lower end terminating in position to be grasped and pull exerted on the line to move the louvers toward closed position.

3. A chimney hatch comprising a frame adapted to be mounted on a chimney about the top of the ue thereof, said frame having an upstanding circumferentially extending iiange, a plurality of louvers for closing the frame and the upper end of a chimney iiue surrounded by the frame, hinge brackets carried by said louvers and pivotally mounting the louvers for swinging movement from raised position when open to closed position when lowered, said louvers having marginal anges overlapping the ange of the frame when the louvers are closed, a link pivotally connected With said louvers for transmitting swinging movement from one louver to another during opening and closing of the louvers, a lever arm carried by one louver and extending rearwardly therefrom, a Weight suspended from the lever arm for urging the louvers toward open position, and a pull line having its upper end connected with the last mentioned louver in advance of the Weight and of a length adapting it to extend longitudinally through a chimney flue with its lower end in position to be grasped and pull exerted to move the louvers toward closed position.

ARTHUR R. TUMMEL. 

